Winter Olympics star gives message to crowd after winning second gold of Games following ban for theft and fraud

French biathlete Julia Simon has claimed a second gold of the Winter Olympics four months after receiving a suspended prison sentence.

The 10-time World Championships gold medallist was banned and fined in September for stealing a teammate’s bank card.

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However, she was cleared to compete in this month’s Games in Milan Cortina.

Simon won gold in the mixed relay on Sunday before adding a second triumph in the women’s individual event on Wednesday.

However, it was her celebration as she crossed the finish line which caught the eye.

The 29-year-old put her finger to her lips to ‘shush’ the crowd watching on at the Anterselva Biathlon Arena.

Simon finished ahead of compatriot Lou Jeanmonnot, with Bulgaria’s Lora Hristova.

France have now won six medals across the opening five days of the event.

Why was Julia Simon banned?

Their latest gold is not without controversy, though, due to Simon’s involvement.

She had been handed a suspended three-month prison sentence in October for using the bank card of team-mate Justine Braisaz-Bouchet and a French team member of staff.

It was alleged Simon had made online purchases totalling over £1,371.

At first, she had denied the allegations, claiming that she was the victim of identity theft.

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However, Simon later admitted to the charges, which also led to her receiving a £13,000 fine.

The French Ski Federation also banned her for six months with five months suspended.

Their punishment caused Simon to miss the start of the World Cup season whilst allowing her to compete at the Winter Olympics.

Meanwhile, she was also handed a £26,000 fine, half of which has been suspended.

Braisaz-Bouchet, one of Simon’s victims, also competed in the women’s individual event on Wednesday.

The 2022 mass start Olympic champion finished 80th after being penalised for four misses during the shooting rounds.

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Simon could still win a third medal of the Games in the team relay on February 18.

She previously won silver in the mixed relay in Beijing four years ago having been an alternate at the 2018 Games in Pyeongchang.